Orbcomm Seeking Waiver as Last of Generation 2 Constellation in Orbit

The 11th and last of the Orbcomm Generation 2 satellite constellation is in orbit, and the company is seeking a waiver of the fifth satellite performance milestone, it said in an FCC International Bureau filing Wednesday. As justification, Orbcomm pointed to the FCC's new Part 25 satellite licensing rules adopted earlier this month (see 1512170036) and the exemption given nongeostationary (NGSO) replacement satellites from performance bond and milestone requirements. Short of a full waiver, Orbcomm said it then requests a partial waiver. The most-recent Orbcomm Generation 2 launch was Monday, and the satellites are replenishing the company's non-voice NGSO mobile satellite service constellation that began commercial operation in 1995, it said.